The purpose of this website is to keep in touch with family and friends and to share some of my interests acquired over the years. I am a retired, transplanted Bronx New Yorker living in Colorado. I've just started studying genealogy to research my roots and regret not learning this discipline earlier  when I could have gotten a lot of information from my parents and relatives. Although the process now requires long hours of  research, it is rewarding when you uncover a part of your family history.  Living in Colorado for over twenty seven years has given me an appreciation for the outdoors. Today, my interests include: hiking, reading, woodcarving, racquetball, and traveling.  Whenever I do travel, I hope to share the trip  over this web site. So with that out of the way, my wife and I hope you will enjoy the visit.  Feel free to e-mail me at fd@fjluciani.com with your comments.

It's important to know your roots so that you can measure your progress in life and  pass on your heritage. Today's fast paced living and "throw away society" make it difficult to appreciate what your parents sacrificed for you.   If you are of Italian heritage, a good way to find out is to read the books: "Blood of My Blood" by Richard Gambino ," La Storia-Five Centuries of the Italian American Experience" by Jerre Mangione and Ben Morreale and Italian-American Family History by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack. My lineage starts in southern Italy  with my dad  who was from Bari and my mother's family who came from the area near Naples (the towns of Melito di Napoli, Pastorano, Pignatore Maggiore and Camigliano).  By searching the web,census data, social security records, the National Archives, vital municipal records and interviewing relatives, I've been able to partially trace my family back five generations. Recently I've found relatives of my Uncle Francesco living in Italy. That research opened a family tree branch with over twenty cousins (1st, 2nd , 3rd and 4th). Another recent research venture on my mother's side opened a branch with 35 cousins. I hope to leave my findings as a legacy to my children, grandchildren and cousins.  Here are some of the family names I'm working with. On the Luciani side:Colonna, Schirone, Cassano, Magrini, Fanelli, Mele, Pagliari, Russo, DeSantis, Brindisi,, Abbrescia, Mistron, Colombini, Zummo, LoCoco. On the Ferraiuolo side: Martino, Marroni, LaFiorita, ElFidito, Guarino, Negro, Nigro, Colisante, Ciacio, Pietrafesa, Shores and Colangelo. I've put some of my research into a family narrative which I will be continually updating.

After a twenty year career in the Air Force, I retired in Colorado Springs  , and took up a second career in County government for  15 years. Now I'm fully retired and enjoying the fruits of my labors with family and friends.